After the morning’s excitement, the Lin young ladies dispersed after lunch. Lin Dongqi kept Song Tanchai at Hui Feng Study. Lin Dongxiu, somewhat displeased, snorted and walked out holding her maid Han Zhi’s hand. Just as she left the courtyard, she heard Lin Dongling calling from behind: “Sister, wait for me.” She ran over and linked arms with Lin Dongxiu, pushing Han Zhi aside.
Lin Dongxiu glanced at Lin Dongling and said with a cold smile: “Why aren’t you staying? It’s quite lively in Hui Feng Study.”
Lin Dongling smiled sweetly: “How could I stay there? That certain someone is so fake, putting on airs everywhere, pretending to be the model of a noble young lady. I can’t stand watching her.”
“That certain someone” clearly referred to Lin Dongqi. Though Lin Dongxiu had been at odds with Lin Dongqi since childhood and looked down on Lin Dongling, at this moment she found her more agreeable. Her lips curled slightly as she said quietly: “So Third Sister is quite perceptive. Although we haven’t seen each other for years, in just these few days you’ve figured out who’s loyal and who’s treacherous.”
Lin Dongling raised her head: “Of course, what demon or monster could escape my discerning eye?” She then frowned and said, “Second Sister is merely annoying to look at, but the truly detestable one is Cao Lihuan. Such a distant relative, yet she comes claiming kinship and refuses to leave. She acts noble, saying she won’t take the Lin family’s monthly allowance, but which of her food, clothing, and lodging doesn’t come from our family? Always asking for this and that. She even thinks she’s superior, constantly bragging about how much she spends on this and that.”
“Indeed, she claims to be a famous talented lady from Yu Province, with dozens of poems collected into volumes,” Lin Dongxiu said with a slightly cold smile. “She should look at her bearing – does she think wearing gold and silver, dressed in fine silks makes her a noble lady? She’s nothing but a shrew, yet she thinks of herself as a beauty, constantly talking about how many talented young men came to propose in Yu Province. Hmph, for a young lady to discuss such things – isn’t she ashamed!”
Lin Dongling burst out laughing: “Everyone in the manor knows she’s full of nonsense.”
The two continued criticizing Cao Lihuan, growing closer with each exchange, only parting ways at the intersection. After Lin Dongling left, Han Zhi moved to Lin Dongxiu’s side, watching Lin Dongling’s retreating figure, and whispered: “What is Third Young Lady doing? Why is she suddenly being so friendly with Young Lady?”
Lin Dongxiu snorted: “Excessive enthusiasm without cause must hide either treachery or theft. What could she be thinking? She previously thought that being Lady Tanchai’s proper cousin would give her every advantage, but didn’t expect that little minx Lin Dongqi to stick to Song Tanchai and keep her there with just a few words. That’s why Lin Dongling rushed to find me, hoping we could unite against others. Does she think I can’t see through her thoughts? When Brother Song arrived, her eyes turned green with envy.”
Han Zhi supported Lin Dongxiu as they walked slowly back: “Speaking of Young Master Song, he truly is talented and capable, a perfect match for our Young Lady. But Third Young Lady is his cousin, and we’re even more distantly related. With that relationship, it might be difficult. Also, we must be wary of Second Young Lady.”
Lin Dongxiu smiled coldly: “Second Sister was born to the Madam, who would never let her marry into a declining family like the Songs. She’s focused on arranging a match with a prestigious family. If she had her eye on the Song family, she would have already arranged the marriage. Similarly, Second Uncle’s wife thinks the same way. I heard Second Uncle has his eye on a colleague’s son from the capital, from a family with distinguished military achievements. Third Sister’s little hopes will likely come to nothing. What’s the Song family’s current situation? Master Song has passed away, leaving a widow and orphans who’ve separated from the main family. Even if Brother Song is ambitious, he’s only achieved the xiucai degree. Even if he passes the provincial examinations and achieves success in the future, it would take at least ten years to restore the family’s prosperity.”
Han Zhi worried: “Young Lady, then such a family…”
“Such a family is perfect for me. The Song family is small, and Aunt Song has a gentle nature – I won’t suffer after marrying in. As they say, ‘a lean camel is still larger than a horse’ – though the Song family appears declining now, they have plenty of hidden wealth and fortune. They own many properties and deeds, plus several shops in the capital. Brother Song is intelligent, ambitious, and responsible – such a man is a hundred times better than any young master from a noble family!” Lin Dongxiu grew increasingly excited as she spoke, her hands clenched into fists, her face flushing red as she thought of Song Ke’s elegant and handsome appearance.
Han Zhi said: “If so, Young Lady should hint at this to Master and Madam soon. It’s a pity that the Concubine is timid, otherwise she could help the Young Lady. How else has Young Lady reached this age without having a marriage arranged?”
Lin Dongxiu patted Han Zhi’s hand and sighed: “How true. The concubine has been frightened into submission by Madam, now refusing to take initiative in anything. And I don’t have any brothers to help…”
It turned out that the eldest family’s secondary daughter Lin Dongwan and Second Young Master Lin Jinxuan were siblings from the same mother, Concubine Yin, who was originally a senior maid serving Lin Zhangzheng before being promoted to concubine. In earlier years, Madam Qin had a fierce temperament, often arguing with Lin Zhangzheng. Concubine Yin was gentle and sweet, sharing many years of attachment with Lin Zhangzheng, who favored her. However, Qin was clever, gradually tempering her nature. Her family connections helped Lin Zhangzheng’s career advancement, and with her deliberate efforts to win him over, the Master came to appreciate his primary wife’s wisdom and vision more than those of servants-turned-concubines, growing closer to his wife.
As Concubine Yin gradually lost favor, she resented it and secretly employed some schemes. Madam Qin cultivated Lin Zhangzheng’s favor to secure her position while secretly suppressing Concubine Yin. After two or three thunderous incidents, Concubine Yin, being fundamentally honest, was thoroughly intimidated by Madam Qin and dared not harbor any other thoughts, becoming completely submissive. Later, Lin Zhangzheng’s superior sent him a beautiful concubine surnamed Bao. After a brief period of favor, Lin Zhangzheng lost interest. Concubine Bao only bore one daughter, Lin Dongxiu, and became like a decoration in the manor, no longer in Lin Zhangzheng’s heart. Consequently, he paid little attention to Lin Dongxiu. However, five years ago, Madam Qin, like an old clam producing a pearl, bore another son named Lin Jinyuan. Lin Zhangzheng was truly overjoyed and grew even more respectful and loving toward Madam Qin.
When mothers have influence, their children have support. At this moment, Lin Dongqi had changed into a semi-new indigo silk dress and sat by the kang table of the arhat bed drawing patterns, while Song Tanchai sat on the other side making a pouch, the two occasionally exchanging words. Ta Sha brought hot tea over and said: “Young Ladies should rest a while.”
Lin Dongqi said softly: “I’m not tired yet.” She gestured to Ta Sha: “Go bring the candy and pastry box.”
Ta Sha soon returned, and Lin Dongqi pushed the purple sandalwood mother-of-pearl Eight Treasures box toward Song Tanchai, saying: “These cream almonds and amber walnuts were just made. Sister, try these fresh treats.”
Song Tanchai took a piece and put it in her mouth. Lin Dongqi picked up the pouch Song Tanchai was making and examined it, praising: “Sister truly has clever hands. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to marry you.”
Song Tanchai’s face instantly turned red, and she stammered: “Sister, what are you saying!”
Lin Dongqi smiled and said: “Why so shy? There are no outsiders here. If you have any preferences for family status, I can mention it to my mother and have her keep an eye out.” Seeing Song Tanchai keeping her head down without speaking, she probed indirectly, “Speaking of which, your elder brother should marry first before we discuss your marriage. Brother Song isn’t young anymore.”
Song Tanchai said: “Mother wants to arrange a marriage for my brother too. She’s looked at several families and found them all suitable, but her brother isn’t satisfied. He says he’ll wait until after achieving his degree, saying that as a man, waiting a few more years to marry is no problem. Mother has given up trying to manage it.”
Lin Dongqi nodded with a smile: “Your brother’s words make sense. After all, maids are serving in his quarters, so marrying later is fine… Take my eldest brother, for example, before marriage he had two personal maids serving him, which worked out well.” In her heart, she silently added, “Though they were all sent away before marriage, none were kept.”
Song Tanchai shook her head: “Originally, there was a maid called Hong Xiu in the brother’s quarters who was different from the others, but she fell ill and died a year ago. Mother wanted to give him her maid Shan Hu, but brother refused, saying next year is the spring examination and he must focus on his studies and career.”
Lin Dongqi, having learned what she wanted to know, was satisfied internally and continued inquiring about other Song family matters. The two talked for a long while, one asking and one answering.
After dinner, Song Tanchai walked by the lake with her personal maid Juan Hua. Seeing no one around, Juan Hua complained to Song Tanchai: “Young Lady! Today you told Second Young Lady so much about our family affairs, even discussing whether the Young Master has personal maids – these aren’t topics proper young ladies should discuss, let alone tell outsiders. What if rumors spread?”
Song Tanchai rubbed her temples and said: “Don’t worry, I said it deliberately. Though my brother is talented and handsome, and marrying a Lin family’s legitimate daughter wouldn’t be unusual, with the Song family’s current decline, it’s not so easy anymore. Brother always says among the Lin young ladies, only Second Young Lady is kind, telling me to get closer to her. I’ve observed that Sister Dongqi has such thoughts, so I let her know a little – it’s nothing serious.”
Juan Hua nodded repeatedly. Let us leave the mistress and maid as they walk away together.